Difference between "preisgünstig", "billig" and "preiswert"? [duplicate]

Question

I have studied German for a few weeks. When I consult the dictionaries, I do not get any differentiation.

Are there any differences between preisgünstig, billig and preiswert?

Are there any nuances?

Answer 1

billig

This is the oldest als still most frequent used word out of this group. The original, but nowadays mostly forgotten meaning was: »appropriate, adequate, suitable, ...«. Today there still is a phrase where »billig« is used in this meaning:

etwas ist recht und billig

In this phrase »recht« means »according to the laws«, and »billig« means »suitable with common usage«. Also in the verb »billigen« you have this old meaning. »Etwas billigen« means »to approve something«.

But in modern German »billig« means »mit angemessenem Preis« (»with adequate price«) which is just another way to say »cheap«.

But »billig« as well as »cheap« often does not only mean »with a low price«, but very often also »with low quality«, i.e. »worthless«.

So marketing experts didn't like the adjective »billig«, because it is connotated with »worthless«. And it's hard to sell something when you say that it is worthless. So they invented other words:

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preiswert

This word came up at the end of 19th century, and was invented my marketing people to have a word that still means »with adequate price«, but by adding »Wert« (»value« in english), it no longer can mean »worthless«.

So, »etwas ist preiswert« means: something has a high value but a low price.

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günstig

You didn't explicitly ask for this word, but it also belongs to this group of words. »Günstig« is also an old German word. It is derivated from the noun »Gunst« (the favor). It has three meanings:

1. cheap

   Die Äpfel sind heute sehr günstig.
   Apple are very cheap today.

2. advantageous

   Das Wetter ist sehr günstig für Bergsteiger.
   The weather is very advantageous for mountaineers.

3. favorable

   Wir müssen auf einen günstigeren Moment warten.
   We have to wait for a more favorable moment.

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preisgünstig

You can find this word during World War II, but it's wide usage started in the 1950ies. Again it was marketing people who invented this word. It is an improvement of »günstig«. »Preis« in front of »günstig« forces the meaning of »günstig« to #1 (cheap). But since »günstig« also has the meanings »advantageous« and »favorable«, the negativ worthless-connotation, that always comes together with »billig« is banned.

Answer 2

The dictionary says;

Preisgünstig

so, dass man für relativ wenig Geld relativ gut kaufen kann.
Synonyme: preiswert

Billig

so, dass für eine Ware oder Dienstleistung ein vergleichsweise niedriger Preis verlangt wird.

Preiswert

so, dass man für relativ wenig Geld relativ gut kaufen kann.
Synonyme: preisgünstig

I try to explain these words and their differences.

From these definitions, it could be understood that preisgünstig and preiswert are synonym and they mean; with little money, you can shop good or buy a product with a good price.

From the defitinition, it can be roughly said that most of the products cost similar prices, when one of them (I name it, product X) costs less. In this case, you can say, Product X ist billig.